Money-drawer and locking device therefor.



E. E. GRONE. MONEY DRAWER AND LOOKING DEVICE THEREFOR.

APPLICATION IILBD MAR. 20, 1908.

Patented Dec.22,1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

5M Mw dwm an. GRONE. MONEY DRAWER AND LOCKING DEVICE THEREFOR. APPLICATION FILED IAR. 20, 1908.

907,223. Patented Dec. 22, 1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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ELMER. E. ORONE, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

MONEY-DRAWER AND LOCKING DEVICE THEREFOR.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELMER E. CRONE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Money'- Drawers and Locking Devices Therefor, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in merchants cash or money drawers, and similar articles.

One of its objects is to provide an automatic locking mechanism for such articles, which can be readily and quickly opened by one familiar with the combinatlon, but not readily opened by a person without knowledge of the combinatlon.

Another object is to provide simple and readily manipulated mechanism whereby the combination may be changed.

Another object is to provide an alarm adapted to be sounded either when the drawer is opened or when an attempt is made to open the drawer, or both, and ready means for changing the alarm sounding mechanism to accomplish the desired result.

Another object is to provide a simple, re liable and inexpensive mechanism to accomplish the above purposes.

It further consists in certain details of form, combination and arrangement, all of which will be more fully set forth in the description of the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a money drawer embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the drawer, attaching plate and under side of a counter. Fig. 3 1s a perspective view of the latch to trip the hammer of the alarm or gong. Fig. 4c is a perspective view of the alarm hammer and its supporting bracket. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the finger bars by which the lock mechanism is actuated. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the alarm actuating plate or lever, which carries the latch, Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is an enlarged central section on line o-o of Fig. 1 through the drawer and counter to which it is attached, and showing the parts in position to lock the drawer. Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. 7 showing the parts in the opposite position. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one of the rocking beams. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the sliding bars. Fig. 11 is an inverted per- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 20, 1908.

Patented Dec. 22, 1908.

Serial No. 422,211.

spective view of the doggin mechanism stationarily locate counter.

In the accompanying drawings, representing a convenient form of my improved device, A represents the counter, show-case or similar stationary article to the underside of which the money drawer is to be attached. 1'. preferably provide an attaching plate, A, which is supplied with the drawer, and is provided at its edges with guides or ways, a, which are engaged by projecting ribs, (1, carried by the drawer, and by means of which the drawer is enabled to slidefrom the closed to the open position. The lock mechanism may thus be assembled and the respective parts attached to the drawer and plate, A, at the factory, and the drawer placed in position for use by securing the plate, A, in the desired position beneath the counter.

To the under side of plate A at the rear end thereof is secured a rectangular frame, B, to which at b is pivoted a plate C having two teeth 0 c and a lip c which enters between the edge Z) of plate B and the plate A, and thereby limits the movement of plate C.

The drawer D is provided at the forward end with compartments, d, to receive bills and coins, or if desired with a secondary contained drawer or sliding tray sliding above the compartments d.

Within the drawer D and at the rear thereof is secured ,a rectangular frame E, preferably composed of stamped sheet metal plates united together by means of projecting lugs entering corresponding recesses and then bent over to retain the plates in place. The frame E is secured to the bottom, d, and rear wall, d of the drawer by flanges, e. The screws which pass through the flanges 6 into the bottom also pass through and lock in place a bottom plate, E, having a central rectangular opening 6 which registers with a similar shaped opening in the bottom of the drawer.

Within the frame E are arranged side by side a series of sliding plates, F, preferably about five in number. The plates F are widened. at the base f so that when assembled they entirely close the opening a being held in place against the bottom plate by reason of their forward ends f projecting through a slot 6 in the frame E, and further by ears or locking beneath the f which project through the opening e and have attachedthereto the arms or bars Gr. These arms lie close to the under side of the drawer bottom, and areheld thereto bya strap 9 through which arms G are free to move endwise. The forward ends of arms G have attached thereto finger plates 9, one or more of which are adapted to be grasped by the fingers of the operator in the act of drawing the drawer to the open position, the arms G first moving forward carrying with them the plates F as far as the opening 6 will permit the ears 7 to travel, after which if the proper finger plate or plates have been grasped the drawer will commence to open.

The plates F are normally held in the position Fig. 7 by springs f attached to a cross rod f. The upper edges of plates F are provided with notched openings into which project the depending arms h of the rocking bars H, a series of which are pivoted vertically above the plates F by means of a cross bar IL. The rocking bars H are each provided with horizontal arms h, If which are respectively depressed and elevated by the rocking movement imparted to bars H by the movement of the plates F.

The top plate of frame E is provided with a series of holes 6* arrangedin two separate rows above the ends of arms M, if.

I represents a partition plate located above the bars H and provided with a series of holes 2' to register with the holes a The holes 0* and z' serve as sockets or lateral sup ports to support in a vertical position a series of pins K K, the pins K being those seated in the row of sockets beneath the tooth c, and those indicated in the drawing by K being the pins seated in the row of sockets beneath tooth c. Said pins are free to move vertically by gravity or other force imparted thereto, and .at their lower ends rest upon the ends of arms [i h The forward movement of any one of the plates F serves to rock the bar H in engagement therewith, which through the arm 7L elevates the pin K resting on arm hfland at the same time permits the pin K resting on arm b to descend by gravity, as is indicated in Figs. 7 and 8, in which Fig. 7 shows the position of the parts before, and Fig. 8 the position of the parts after the bar F has been moved forward. The pins K K are ofsuch length that when in the position F ig. 7 the pins K will engage the tooth 0 of plate C, and pins K are then in position to clear the tooth 0. VV hen any one of the bars H having both a pin K and a pin K in engagement with its arms if its is rocked by pressure on its corresponding finger plate 9, the pins K K assume the pos tion indicated in Fig. 8, in which the pin K engages the tooth c, which engagement is effected before the pin K has ceased to engage the tooth 0. Thus in practice pressure by the operator upon a finger plate gto actuate a bar H above which were arranged'both a pin K and a pinK would result in failure to release or open the drawer.

In practice one or more pins K areseated in the sockets over respective arms b of bars H, say for instance in the first three sockets on the right in Fig. 1, of the upper row of sockets, and two pins K are seated in the first two sockets at the left of the lower row, then an operator would fail to open-the drawer if he pressed the two left hand finger plates to actuatethe pins K which would dog the tooth c, and he would. also fail to release the drawer unless he did press each of the three finger bars 9 atthe right hand 'to actuate the pins K to disengage them from the tooth 0. Thus one or more pins K may be variously arranged in theupper row of sockets in combination with one or more pins K in the lower row of sockets to vary as desired the combination required to open the drawer. The slight pivotal movement of plate C permitted by lip 6 permits the pins K K to simultaneously pass the teeth 0 0 when the drawer is pushed from the open to the closed position.

A recess f in the forward end of each plate F permits the adjustment thereto of one O'l.'l110l6 studs or pins f the upper ends of which studs engage the rear face of .a plate L which is pivoted at Z to ears .6 projecting from the frame The plate L is normally held in the position Fig. 7 by .a spring Z, and has an ear Z to which is loosely pivoted a latch bar L.

M represents a lever pivoted at m to a bracket on attached to the side of frame E. Lever M is normally held in the position F ig. 1 by a spring m and has an car wa which is engaged by the notch'Z" of latch bar L and is drawn forward until its beveled edge lifts latch bar L releasing ear 412.

which allows spring m to return lever M to normal position.

M represents a hammer at the free end of lever M which strikes a gong N to sound an alarm. By seating a stud, f in the'end of each plate F the plate L will be shifted to the position Fig. 8 and thereby sound an alarm upon pulling anyone of thefinger plates 9 or by placing studs in only a portion of the plates F arrangement may be made to sound an alarm only when the finger bars necessary to open the drawer are operated, or arrangement may be made to sound an alarm only when an unsuccessful attempt has been madeto open the drawer.

P represents a tapered strip attached to plate A in front of frame B to guide pinsK baoktoplate C when the drawer is closed.

The mechanism herein illustrated and described is capable of considerable modification without departing from the principle of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim is.

1. In a device of the character indicated, a stationary member, a plate having a plurality of teeth carried by said stationary member, a movable member, a frame carried by said movable member, said frame being provided with a plurality of sockets arranged in separate rows opposite the different teeth of said plate, a series of pins adapted to be selectively seated in separate sockets in position to engage the teeth of said plate, and a plurality of finger plates each adapted when actuated to cause an upward movement of a pin in one row and a downward movement of a pin in the other row of said sockets.

2. In a device of the character indicated, a stationary member, a plate having a plurality of teeth carried by said stationary member, a movable member, a frame carried by said movable member, said frame being provided with a plurality of sockets arranged in separate rows opposite the different teeth of said plate, a series of pins adapted to be selectively seated in separate sockets in position to engage the teeth of said plate, and a plurality of finger plates each adapted when actuated to cause an upward movement of a pin in one row and a downward movement of a pin in the other row of said sockets, an alarm actuating mechanism, and studs actuated by the movements of one or more of said finger plates to trip said alarm actuating mechanism.

3. In a device of the character indicated, a stationary member, a plate having a plurality of teeth carried by said stationary member, a movable member, a frame carried by said movable member and provided with a series of holes in rows opposite separate teeth of said plate, a series of pins adapted to be selectively seated in said holes and adapted to engage the teeth of said plate, a series of rocking bars pivotally mounted beneath said holes, each rocking bar being adapted to cause an upward movement of a pin in one row and a downward movement of a pin in the other row of said holes, a series of finger plates in position to be grasped to move said movable member, and means connecting said finger plates with said rock ing bars to rock said bars when the respective finger plates are passed.

4. In a device of the character indicated, a stationary member, a plate having a plurality of teeth carried by said stationary member, a movable member, a frame carried by said movable member and provided with a series of holes arranged in separate rows, a series of pins adapted to be selectively seated in said holes, and to engage the respective teeth of said plate, a series of rocking bars pivotally mounted beneath said holes, and each adapted to cause an upward movement of a pin in one row and a downward movement of a pin in the other row of said holes, a series of spring actuated sliding plates adapted to tilt said rocking bars, and a series of finger plates connected to said sliding plates and in position to be grasped to move said movable member.

5. In a device of the character indicated, a stationary member, a plate having a plurality of teeth carried by said stationary member, a movable member, a frame carried by said movable member and provided with a series of holes arranged in separate rows, a series of pins adapted to be selectively seated in said holes and to engage the respective teeth of said plate, a series of rocking bars pivotally mounted beneath said holes and each adapted to cause an upward movement of a pin in one row and a downward movement of a pinin the other row of said holes, a series of spring actuated sliding plates adapted to tilt said rocking bars, and a series of finger plates connected to said sliding plates and in position to be grasped to move said movable member, an alarm actuating mechanism, each of said sliding plates being provided with sockets, and one or more studs adapted to be selectively seated in said sockets and adapted to trip said alarm actuating mechanism when the sliding plates provided with studs are actuated.

6. In a device of the character indicated, a stationary member, a plate having a plurality of teeth pivotally attached to said stationary member and having a limited pivotal movement, a drawer adapted to slide relative to said stationary member, a frame carried within said drawer and provided with a series of holes, a series of pins adapted to be selectively seated in said holes, a series of rocking bars pivotally supported beneath said holes and each adapted to cause an upward movement of a pin in one row and a downward movement of a pin in the other row of said holes, a series of spring actuated sliding plates adapted to rock said rocking bars, and a series of finger plates connected to and adapted to actuate said sliding plates, and in position to be grasped to open said drawer.

7. In a device of the character indicated, a stationary member, a plate having a plurality of teeth pivotally attached to said stationary member and having a limited pivotal movement, a drawer adapted to slide relative to said stationary member, a frame carried within said drawer and provided with a series of holes, a series of pins adapted to be selectively seated in said holes, a series of rocking bars pivotally supported beneath said holes and each adapted to cause an upward movement of a pin in one row and a downward movement of a pin in the other row of said holes, a series of spring actuated sliding plates adapted to rock said rocking bars, and a series ,of'finger plates connected to and adapted to actuate said sliding plates, and in position to be grasped to open said drawer, a gong carried Within 5 said drawer, a hammer to strike said gong, a latch to trip said hammer, a pivoted plate to actuate said latch overhanging one end of said sliding plates and adapted to be actuated by studs selectively seated in sockets 10 in said sliding plates.

8. In a device of the character indicated, a drawer, a series of sliding plates carried thereby and each provided With a socket to support a detachable stud, one or more studs 15 adapted to be selectively seated in said sockets, a series of finger plates in position tobe selectively pressed in opening said vdrawer, and adapted When pressedto actuate said sliding plates, an alarm, and mechanism-for sounding said zalarm, said alarm actuating 20 mechanism being adapted to be actuated by one or more ofsaid studs When seated inany one of said sockets.

In testimony whereof I have 'affixed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

I ELMER E. CRONE. Witnesses:

JOHN B. BASKIN, ARTHUR E. SOHANER.

Correction in Letters Patent No. 907,223

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 907,223, granted December 22, 1908; upon the application of Elmer E. Crone, of Louisville, Kentucky, for an improvement in Money-Drawers and Looking Devices Therefor, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction, as follows: In line 54, page 3, the Word passed should read pressed; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office Signed andsealed this 19th day of January, A. 1)., 1909.

[SEAL] O. O. BILLINGS,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

